Politico: “Europe turns to goats to prevent wildfires”

A recentPolitico Europe article by reporter Agnes Rønberg, with contributions by Aitor Hernández-Morales, explores how livestock grazing is gaining traction as a wildfire prevention tool. The piece highlights the European Commission’s endorsement of grazing animals to create firebreaks and cites the EASAC report “Changing Wildfires: Policy Options for a Fire-literate and Fire-adapted Europe.”

Published in 2025, the report calls for a shift from an “overwhelming focus on fire suppression and emergency response” to systemic solutions, including livestock grazing, which has proven “effective in reducing wildfire size and severity.”

Urbano Fra Paleo, a member of the EASAC report’s working group and the EASAC Environment Steering Panel, shares his insights with the journalist. He emphasizes that while shepherding alone cannot solve the problem, it remains essential: “Without the grazers, the low vegetation will just keep coming back,” he warns. 

“The decision makers do not understand this. They just think in terms of managing the fire when this happens, but do not think in terms of managing the landscape,” he adds. The article underscores the need for proactive, science-based strategies to address Europe’s growing wildfire challenges.